Lahore Qalandars’ all-rounder David Wiese staunchly defended captain Shaheen Shah Afridi during the post-match press conference following their emphatic victory over Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) X at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Wiese’s comments addressed ongoing speculation about Afridi’s relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“There’s been some stuff going on between him and Pakistan, with him missing recent series, but he’s still the same Shaheen,” Wiese declared. “He’s world-class and the only captain I’d want to play for in the PSL.” The remarks underscored Afridi’s leadership and resilience amid external pressures.
The Qalandars’ win provided context for Wiese’s praise. After a lackluster performance against Islamabad United in their opening match, Lahore rebounded strongly. In his opening spell, Shaheen Afridi led by example, claiming two early wickets—skipper Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen—dismantling Quetta’s top order. The Gladiators were bowled out for 140, falling well short of Lahore’s 220-run target.





While the Qalandars’ batting effort laid the foundation for the victory, Afridi’s bowling heroics dominated the narrative. His early breakthroughs crippled Quetta’s chase, ensuring a comprehensive win for Lahore.
Lahore Qalandars sent a reminder of their quality with a dominant win over Quetta Gladiators and will be hoping this result sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.